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Helena Theresa Turnquist (nee Huber)

July 17, 2021

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February 28, 1934 - July 17, 2021
Helena passed away suddenly from a heart attack on July 17 at Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria, B.C.
She left Creston 5 weeks earlier to be near her children: Rodney (Helen), Jo-Ann (Richard), Woodrow, and Sonja (Mark), who were by her side until the end.
Helena was predeceased by her infant son Andrew James Douglas; Sisters Mary-Lou and Irene, parents John & Ann Huber, Husband, Earl, of 61 years, and by her close companion, Bill Elliot, of 5 years.
Helena was born on a farm near Bruno, Saskatchewan, and raised in Hudson Bay. She married Earl Turnquist in 1952 and they settled in Saskatoon, starting a family and enjoying many years growing friendships that lasted her lifetime.
In 1967 the family moved to Victoria where Helena and Earl lived until retirement in 1988. Home was the center of Helena's life, where she hosted family and friends alike with home baking, holiday meals, card games, and fun.
Mom and dad retired to Creston and enjoyed living in Creston Valley Mobile Home Park where mom loved to garden, feed the birds, and go for long walks. They square danced with the Swan Valley Swingers and took road trips far and wide.
Close to home, mom valued the simple things like a good cup of coffee, a game of crib, homemade soup and cinnamon buns, and visits from family and many special friends. She was so happy to live close to two of her sisters - and our families especially thank Linda (Russ) Harke for their years of kindness, and devotion to mom, and Margaret (Don) Rodger, for always checking in, helping out, and bringing goodies! T
hey all shared many holiday meals and casual coffee times together, keeping each other company. Mom often wished she could spend more time with her other two sisters, Lorraine (Victoria) and Joan (Kamloops). Family was so important to mom.
After 33 years she returned to Victoria, determined to be with her 4 children, 10 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. Sadly, she was enduring poor health and her time with us was far too short. She was an amazing mother, grandmother and great grandmother. We are so grateful she was ours. We will forever miss her, and are so thankful for the many kind words and condolences received.
Date for a Celebration of Life to be announced.